Master's Degree Requirements

In addition, the candidate for the master's degree must complete a thesis which will require not over one-third of his or her time, and which will demand the solution of some research problem in chemistry. The remaining work may consist of additional specialized courses in chemistry, or in related fields such as physics, mathematics, microbiology, biochemistry, chemical engineering, or metallurgy. Students completing an M.S. thesis in Chemical Education must take Research in Education (PRE 715) and Introduction to Statistical Analysis (PRE 710). The selection of courses outside the Depart­ment of Chemistry shall be limited to two departments.

As early as possible in the second year, but no later than the end of the Spring semester, the student together with the research advisor will select an appropriate research advisory/thesis committee of at least three faculty (including the research director) who will meet to determine the student’s progress in research and to estimate an approximate date for the completion of the thesis. If research progress is found to be inadequate, the committee will advise the student what needs to be done to enhance progress to a satisfactory level and will arrange to meet again at a time to be specified by the committee to reevaluate the research progress. If the research progress is adequate, additional meetings at later times will be left to the discretion of the committee.

It is the responsibility of the research director to fill out a brief report form describing the outcome of the first meeting and to submit this form to the Associate Chairperson for Graduate Studies for inclusion in the student’s file.

At the time of the completion of the thesis, the candidate for the master’s degree must pass an oral examination administered by the research advisory/thesis committee. This examination must be scheduled with the Graduate School at least two weeks prior to the examination. (See the Graduate Secretary for details.)